My Nanny (grandmother) was the matriarch of our family and one of the most important and instrumental people in my life. This week, at the age of 95 she took her last breath, much the same way she lived her life, with grace.
Over the years, I have learned many life lessons from my nanny that have help shape me as a man, a father, a friend, a partner and a leader. Here are some of those lessons.
- Say yes – never turn down an invitation to experience life. Say yes to being with people or trying something new.
- Welcome others with open arms – my nanny was the epitome of inclusion. Any new member who showed up at a family event was quickly taken by her and involved in some task, side-by-side with others so they felt comfortable and at home.
- Laugh – often and loud. At yourself. At your situation. Find the humour because it’s always there if you look for it.
- Be on time – there were two kinds of time, regular time and nanny time. Nanny time was always 15mins before regular time. As she used to say, “it takes the same amount of effort to be early as it does to be late, so be early. “
- Honour your commitments – your word is your honour! If you say it, do it. And if you can no longer do it, say it.
Thank-you Nanny! I love you.